David Archuleta Vs. David Cook

Season 7, Episode 41, Aired

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On tonight's exciting performance show, the last of the season, the final two contestants will battle it out live at the NOKIA Theatre LA LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles. One will be the next American Idol and one will go home.

Tonight's Theme Is: Clive Davis's choice, Songwriter's Competition choice, & Contestant's choice of any song from the season.

Performing Tonight are:
David Archuleta
David Cook
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Fan Episode Reviews (8)

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  • David Archuleta V.S. David Cook

    8.4
    "Great"
    By chanelissweet, Jun 10, 2008
    They both did an great job of performing but I always wanted David Archuleta to go all the way. David Cook can sing and is entertaining to watch, but I compare all rock contestants to Dauthry. This is my time was a better song then David A. though even though it seem like sercetly Simon wanted David C. to win. David A. sang a song that got him as one of the top rankers. David C. messed him up by saying "i didn't want to sing the same song i already did" or something like that. Thats the main reason why he did better I think.moreless

  • this is a review

    8.1
    "Great"
    By 6tacky, May 26, 2008
    well, i was really hoping david cook would do bettter, and i also expected him to, but thats not what i got. they both did great in the first round, and i really cant say who did better. in the second round david a blew david c away. the third round really dissapointed me. simon was right, david cook shouldve sang billie jean which is what got people interested in him. instead he sings a ballad. i was pretty diisapointed and the boxing analogy was pretty corny. bot in the end david cook won by 12 MILLION votes. plz view my profile and comment on the blogs!moreless

  • In this episode, the two contestants left in the competition performs to become the next American Idol.

    8.6
    "Great"
    By nicesweetgirl36, May 26, 2008
    I was so excited to watch this episode. I knew it was going to be great. It was the battle of the two David's. I began watching thinking that David Cook would steal the show. I did like his performance of the song Dream Big, I thought he sang it good. Then when I heard David Archuleta sing, I thought he did so well especially when he sang Imagine. He really connects to that song. With the judges saying all nice things about his performances, especially when Simon said it was a knockout I thought he was going to win. I was so happy for him.moreless

  • Cook made me doubt his past success due to the fact that he was actually boring and that I didn't care for it. Archuleta's great performances in contrast actually made me doubt his failures. Generally, this episode made for a good build-up for the finale.moreless

    7.5
    "Good"
    By hesonlylonely, May 23, 2008
    So, again, I can't believe Cook agreed to go with whatever the producers had in mind, and in this season's final Tuesday episode, it was being dressed up as if the Davids were in a boxing match. The Davids sang 3 songs each, but just before they did, Archuleta said he was gonna keep doing what he's doing because it's a dream come true, and Cook on the other hand, mentioned it'd be the strongest and most interesting performances from him. He did not keep his promise.

    The fact they both were never in the Bottom Three could've been perceived as being a little controversial/suspicious, but I decided to let that go once I was distracted by Cook laughing at Archuleta complementing him. For Cook, the competition was over, and it was all about fun.

    For Clive Davis' choice, it was "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". Cook's vocals were not memorable apart from the signature Cook ending, whereas Archuleta's was a bit easier to recall, but only because it sounded like it could've come out of a new Disney movie soundtrack. I like Disney movie soundtracks.

    As for Cook's second performance, "Dream Big", I thought the lyrics and the song were actually great, but Cook just missed the mark. It was very Cook, very rock, but to me, I didn't think that performance could win the hearts of those voters that have yet to appreciate Cook, or rock music. Archuleta's "In This Moment" was also very Archuleta, his voice as controlled and his tone was very mature, emotional and warm. I found that both signature quotes from both their songs were quite significant. In case anybody has forgotten, they were:
    "If you don't dream big, what's the use in dreaming?"
    "In this moment, no one can take it from me"

    Cook performed "The World I Know", and made a slow start in an attempt to build up excitement, but failed miserable. He was emotionally shedding tears though, and his face was pale as well. He didn't look too good. Maybe he thought he was going to lose. And Archuleta's final vocal performance of the night, "Imagine" which he sang way back in Week Two, it drove me to reminisce over the last time I saw him sang that song. Very nostalgic, very meaningful, however, I didn't quite like it compared to the first time, maybe 'cause Archuleta started closing his eyes again.

    Over the course of the three songs, the judges described both finalists in a lot of ways. Randy said Cook was 'hot', 'singing his face off', 'sensitive', suiting to collective soul music, and that he did 'a very nice job'. Paula expressed that she loved Cook due to his being 'in great voice' for the evening, his mesmerizing singing, and his integrity and originality that is worthy of applause and congratulations. Simon basically told Cook that he didn't deserve to win, going from 'phenomenal', to a '6.5 out of 10', all the way down to the 'nicest, sincere' man who didn't know how to pick the right song. I agree with that, although Cook deserved a lot of critique for not bringing it in the FINAL round.

    On the other hand, Archuleta received praise the entire time, Randy said he was 'flawless', 'molten hot', with 'crazy vocals', and that he's 'proud and happy' that Archuleta's 'got it goin' on'. Paula said Archuleta's performances were 'heart-felt', 'on fire', 'magic', 'stunning', and that Archuleta himself was so 'unbelievable' that the sun shone upon the us all hearing him sing. Simon said that Archuleta won both rounds and two, and both times Archuleta was a little overwhelmed. I'm turning 17 in a week and I'd be overwhelmed too if I was singing in front of all of America. But anyway. As I was saying, Simon laughed at the egotistical lyric of "In This Moment" and that Archuleta chose great songs, and that what everyboy has witnessed from Archuleta was a star-worthy knockout performance.

    Overall, as Ruben was singing the video montage song at the end, I truly thought Archuleta would win, thus bringing down the ages of winners even LOWER, after Jordin Sparlks managed to win last year, a couple of months or so older than our young David.moreless

  • All above average performances.

    9.2
    "Superb"
    By coaster41395, May 22, 2008
    I thought the boxing theme was soo cheesy and boring, the first 10 minutes were horrible. Then David Cook sang his first song. It was really good, my favorite from Cook that night. Archuleta was next with his first song, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. Whoa, this was awesome! Best performance of the night for me, and one of his best too. Then Round 2, Cook sang a Songwriting Competition Song. It was good, but I liked his first one better. Archuleta then sang his Songwriting Competiton song. It was good too, about equal to Cook's second one. Then, Cook sang his final song. I thought it was not that good. It was just "okay". David Archuleta then sang his last song, Imagine. It was great, and he did better than Cook that night.

    1. Archuleta's 1st song.
    2. Cook's 1st song.
    3. Archuleta's 3rd song.
    4 and 5. Cook's 2nd song (tie with #5)
    5 and 4. Archuleta's 2nd song (tie with #4).
    6. Cook's 3rd song.

    So, for me, I wanted Archuleta to win.moreless
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